planetary science r&a program...

PlanetaryScienceR&AProgramUpdate

JonathanA.R.RallCommitteeontheReviewofNASA’sPlanetaryScience

Division’sRestructuredResearchandAnalysisPrograms

August17,2016

FundingforNASA-relatedresearchanddevelopmentprojectsisaprivilegeaffordedtoqualifiedscience,engineering,andeducationalpersonnelbyNASAactingonbehalfofthecitizensoftheUnitedStatesthroughCongressionalandExecutiveaction

NASA’sproposalandselectionproceduresworkonlybecausethevariousresearchcommunitiesandNASAProgramOfficestogethermaintainthehighestlevelofintegrityatallstagesoftheprocess.(Guidebookforproposers)

• WedidtheR&ArestructuringtoenhancetransparencytoourstakeholdersintheAdministrationandCongress• ThechargetothecommitteeistoevaluatewhetherthenewstructureencompassestherangeandscopeofactivitiesneededtosupporttheNASAStrategicObjectiveforPlanetaryScienceandaretheelementsappropriatelystructuredtodevelopthebroadbaseofknowledgeandbroadrangeofactivitiesneededbothtoenablenewspaceflightmissionsandtointerpretandmaximizethescientificreturnfromexistingmission

$34.6M $32.5M $32.8M $29.5M$40.1M

$10.2M $10.6M $10.7M $14.8M

$12.7M$4.9M $5.3M $5.3M$10.M

$14.3M$14.3M $15.M $14.9M

$13.3M

$12.2M

$3.1M $3.4M $4.3M$2.8M

$3.7M

$3.5M $2.9M $3.3M $3.5M

$3.7M$28.7M $26.M$29.3M $24.4M

$26.6M

$15.5M$16.3M

$16.7M $18.6M

$17.5M$18.9M$14.9M

$11.8M $15.2M

$22.4M

$

$10.M

$20.M

$30.M

$40.M

$50.M

$60.M

$70.M

$80.M

$90.M

$100.M

$110.M

$120.M

$130.M

$140.M

$150.M

$160.M

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

R&AINVESTMENT– TARGETOBJECTOVERVIEW

Other

SmallBodies

OuterPlanets

Mercury

Venus

EarlySolarSystem

Moon

Earth&EarlyEarth

MarsSystem

Keyword – TargetObject,General FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

MarsSystem $34.6M $32.5M $32.8M $29.5M $40.1M

Earth&EarlyEarth $10.2M $10.6M $10.7M $14.8M $12.7M

Moon $4.9M $5.3M $5.3M $10.M $14.3M

EarlySolarSystem $14.3M $15.M $14.9M $13.3M $12.2M

Venus $3.1M $3.4M $4.3M $2.8M $3.7M

Mercury $3.5M $2.9M $3.3M $3.5M $3.7M

OuterPlanets $28.7M $26.M $29.3M $24.4M $26.6M

SmallBodies $15.5M $16.3M $16.7M $18.6M $17.5M

Other $18.9M $14.9M $11.8M $15.2M $22.4M

$8.4M $7.4M

$11.4M

$7.6M$9.1M

$12.9M$13.3M

$13.2M

$13.5M

$14.5M

$426K$351K

$781K

$639K

$734K

$4.1M$3.9M

$3.6M

$3.4M

$3.8M

$

$5.M

$10.M

$15.M

$20.M

$25.M

$30.M

$35.M

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

OUTERPLANETS(BYFY)

Nonespecified

Non-specific IcyBodies

Non-specific Rings

Non-specific Planets

UranusSystem

NeptuneSystem

SaturnSystem

JupiterSystem

Keyword– TargetBody,OuterPlanets FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

JupiterSystem $8.4M $7.4M $11.4M $7.6M $9.1M

SaturnSystem $12.9M $13.3M $13.2M $13.5M $14.5M

NeptuneSystem $521K $450K $673K $523K $528K

UranusSystem $426K $351K $781K $639K $734K

Non-specificPlanets $1.8M $1.3M $1.3M $796K $355K

Non-specificRings $378K $400K $169K $48K $26K

Non-specificIcyBodies $4.1M $3.9M $3.6M $3.4M $3.8M

Nonespecified $501K $652K $340K $202K $147K

$7.1M$7.9M $7.8M $7.7M $7.7M

$6.2M$6.M $6.8M

$8.1M $7.8M

$2.2M$2.4M

$2.1M

$2.8M$2.M

$

$2.M

$4.M

$6.M

$8.M

$10.M

$12.M

$14.M

$16.M

$18.M

$20.M

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

SMALLBODIESBYFISCALYEAR

KBOs/TNOs

Comets

Asteroids

Keyword– TargetBody,SmallBodies FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

Asteroids $7.1M $7.9M $7.8M $7.7M $7.7M

Comets $6.2M $6.M $6.8M $8.1M $7.8M

KBOs/TNOs $2.2M $2.4M $2.1M $2.8M $2.M

$564K $514K $1.2M $1.4M $1.4M

$7.8M

$4.5M$2.3M $2.2M

$460K

$3.9M

$3.2M

$3.M

$7.4M$10.2M

$2.4M

$2.M

$1.M

$90K

$353K

$655K

$692K$535K

$1.8M

$2.5M

$2.5M

$2.8M

$9.2M

$

$5.M

$10.M

$15.M

$20.M

$25.M

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

OTHERBODIES(BYFY)

Extra-solarPlanets

Solarwind

ProtoplanetaryDisks

Presolarnebula

PotentiallyHazardousObjects

Non-specific Planets

NoneSpecified

NearEarthObjects

Interstellargrains

HypervelocityImpacts

Dust

Keyword– TargetObject,Other FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

Dust $564K $514K $1.2M $1.4M $1.4M

HypervelocityImpacts $759K $729K $570K $233K $86K

Interstellargrains $558K $296K $ $126K $106K

NearEarthObjects $705K $371K $380K $279K $197K

NoneSpecified $7.8M $4.5M $2.3M $2.2M $460K

Non-specificPlanets $3.9M $3.2M $3.M $7.4M $10.2M

PotentiallyHazardousObjects $27K $76K $50K $53K $

Presolarnebula $2.4M $2.M $1.M $158K $126K

ProtoplanetaryDisks $90K $353K $655K $692K $535K

Solarwind $266K $270K $103K $22K $80K

Extra-solarPlanets $1.8M $2.5M $2.5M $2.8M $9.2M

$30.3M $29.8M $28.5M $31.9M $36.4M

$5.4M $5.4M $4.1M$6.4M

$6.7M$12.1M $12.M $11.9M$12.3M

$16.6M$15.M $17.7M $17.1M

$16.9M

$18.5M$7.1M $9.M $8.9M$9.2M

$12.8M

$12.4M$11.1M

$9.6M

$13.2M

$18.3M

$5.9M $4.2M $5.8M

$6.1M

$8.8M

$20.1M $18.3M $17.4M$9.6M

$11.4M

$1.5M $1.2M $3.1M $2.9M

$6.8M

$

$10.M

$20.M

$30.M

$40.M

$50.M

$60.M

$70.M

$80.M

$90.M

$100.M

$110.M

$120.M

$130.M

$140.M

$150.M

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

R&AINVESTMENTBYFISCALYEAR- SCIENCEDISCIPLINEUnspecified

Spectroscopy

SolarSystemDynamics

PlanetaryProtection

PlanetaryDynamics

NoKeyword

MineralPhysics

Magnetospheres

Geophysics

Geology

Geochemistry

Exosphere

Cosmochemistry

Atmospheres

Astrophysics

Astronomy

Astrobiology

DRAFT– NottoShare

Keyword– ScienceDiscipline FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015Astrobiology $30.3M $29.8M $28.5M $31.9M $36.4MAstronomy $5.4M $5.4M $4.1M $6.4M $6.7MAstrophysics $125K $57K $48K $43K $Atmospheres $12.1M $12.M $11.9M $12.3M $16.6MCosmochemistry $15.M $17.7M $17.1M $16.9M $18.5MExosphere $466K $500K $1.5M $2.4M $2.5MGeochemistry $7.1M $9.M $8.9M $9.2M $12.8MGeology $12.4M $11.1M $9.6M $13.2M $18.3MGeophysics $5.9M $4.2M $5.8M $6.1M $8.8MMagnetospheres $2.7M $2.6M $2.2M $2.6M $3.8MMineralPhysics $45K $104K $50K $130K $302KNoKeyword $20.1M $18.3M $17.4M $9.6M $11.4MPlanetaryDynamics $1.4M $1.4M $1.7M $1.5M $3.1MPlanetaryProtection $926K $597K $770K $370K $641KSolarSystemDynamics $843K $1.8M $2.4M $2.6M $3.2MSpectroscopy $1.5M $1.2M $3.1M $2.9M $6.8MUnspecified $86K $99K $102K $ $

SubpanelsforPlanetaryGeology&GeophysicsROSES2011-2013

• GeologyA&B• GeophysicsA&B• RemoteSensingA&B• Dynamics(ROSES2011,2012)• Mars(ROSES2012)• OuterPlanets(ROSES2012)• RemoteSensing&Spectroscopy(ROSES2012)• Spectro/IR(ROSES2011)

Subpanels– SolarSystemWorkings2014

• Atmospheres:Tenuous/Exosphere• ImpactProcesses• Petrology• Space-SurfaceInteractions• Spectroscopy:OuterSolarSystemandComets• Volcanism

• Atmospheres:Chemistry,Climate,Evolution&Variability• Geophysics• IcyBodies• Mineralogy• Rings/Dynamics• Spectroscopy:InnerSolarSystemandSmallBodies


• Atmospheres-SurfaceInteractions• Atmospheres:Structures/Dynamics• Geomorphology• Magnetospheric ProcessesandDynamics• Permafrost,GlaciersandRegolith


• ATMSurfaceCoupling• ATM– Tenuous• Petrology• TidalDynamicsandHeating

• Asteroids• Atmosphere:Chemistry&LabStudies• Atmosphere:Structure/Dynamics• Regolith


• AqueousGeochem• Chlorine,IsotopesandSulfates• Comets• Spectroscopy

• Atmospheres:Ionosphere,Mesosphere&Thermosphere• Geomorphology• Orbit/Soin Dynamics• Space-Surface


• ATM-SurfaceCoupling• ATM-Tenuous• Petrology• TidalDynamics

• Geophysics• ImpactProcesses• Magnetospherics• Volcanism

PrinciplesofSMD’sResearchandAnalysis(R&A)PeerReviews

•SMDmanagesitsR&Aprogramsstrategically,increasingthereturnfrommissionsinprogressorcompleted,andlayingthegroundworkformissionsyettobeinitiated.•SMDseekstheinputofthescientificcommunity,asappropriate,inevaluatingthescientific/technicalmerit,programmaticrelevance,andcostreasonablenessandrealismofproposals.•SMDplacesthehighestvalueonfair,unbiased,unconflicted,andcompetentreviewsofallcompliantandresponsiveproposalssubmitted.•SMDprotectstheconfidentialityofproposersandreviewers,aswellasthesensitiveandproprietarycontentofproposals.•SMDstrivestoprovideclearfeedbacktoproposersinatimelyfashion,includingthedispositionoftheproposalandthemajorfactor(s)thatledtotheselectionornotoftheproposal.•SMDentrustsitsProgramOfficerswiththeresponsibilityandtheauthoritytoimplementitsprinciplesandpoliciesandtopresentwell-supportedselectionrecommendationstotheSelectionOfficial.•SMDchargesitsSelectionOfficialswithadvancingNASA’sstrategicgoalsandmaximizingthesciencereturnwithinprogrammaticconstraintsbyexecutingtheirjudgmentinmakingselectionandnonselectiondecisions.

4.Adetailedbreakdownoftheprocessfromproposalsubmissiontoassignmentofproposalstothesubpanels,notingespeciallytherolesofthecaucusmembers,thepanelchairandthegroupchiefs(understandingthatthereisvariancebetweenprogramelementsinhowthisisdone).

SMDPolicyDocumentSPD-22:ManagementofROSESPeerReviewandSelectionProcessStep-1proposalsaresubmittedbyAuthorizedOrganizationalRepresentative(AOR)totheNSPIRESsystempriortopublisheddeadline.AmasterlistisprovidedtotheDisciplineScientist(caucuslead)whoshareswithhis/hercaucus.Caucusmeetstodiscussencourage/discouragedecisionforallcompliantStep-1proposals.Encourage/discouragelettersareuploadedinNSPIRESandreleasedtoproposers.Caucusmeetstosortproposalsinto“likesubpanels”ofgenerallysimilarsize,i.e.similarnumberofproposalstypicallylessthan20butwithacommonthemeordiscipline.Sometimes,apanelchairhasalreadybeenidentifiedandparticipatesinthesorting.Caucusmembersandpanelchairidentifycandidatesforgroupchiefs(alsoreferredtoassubpanelchairs)andthenstartpopulatingpanelsandmakingreviewassignments.PanelChairtypicallyhasteleconswiththeGroupChiefsandthereissomehorsetradingofproposalsbetweensubpanels.Thesearchforpanelistsalmostalwaysyieldsexternalreviewersaspeoplewhocan’tattendinpersonbutwillreview.Thisprocessgetsiterateduntileachproposalhasatleasttwopanelreviewersand1-3externalreviewers.

PeerReview(FromGuidebookforProposers)

• Tobecompetitiveforselection,proposalsmustfullysatisfytheevaluationcriteriaasdeterminedbypeerreviewforscientificand/ortechnicalmerit,andbyprogrammaticevaluationforcostandrelevancebyNASA.(NASApeerreviewmembersmayalsoparticipateindeterminingtherelevanceofaproposaltoNASAprogramobjectivesandtherealismandreasonablenessofproposedcosts.

• Followingpeerevaluation,thecognizantNRAProgramCaucuswillconsiderthecompetitivelyratedproposalsinthecontextoftheprogrammaticobjectivesandfinanciallimitationsstatedintheNRA.

• TheCaucuswillpresentarecommendationforselectionbasedontheentiretyofthesefactorstotheNASASelectionOfficialidentifiedintheNRA.

5.Adetailedbreakdownofthepost-panelprocess– howdotheresultsofthesubpanel reviewsturnedintoaprioritizedlistofproposalsforfundingacrosstheentireprogramelement,andwhataretherolesofthecaucusmembers,panelchairandgroupchiefsinthisprocess?Howisprogrammaticanddisciplinebalancemaintained?SMDPolicyDocumentSPD-08:RequirementsforSelectionDecisionDocumentsforNASAResearchAnnouncementsincludingROSESWithin4weeksoftheendofthereviewpanel,thecaucusleadandcaucusmemberspreparetheSelectionRequirementsPackage(SRP),includingadraftSelectionDecisionDocument(SDD),andthecaucusleadsignstheSRPandpresentstheSRPtotheselectionofficial(SO).TheSDDmustcontain,

“AbriefrationalefortheselectionbasedupontheexpertevaluationofproposalsbeapeerreviewpanelinaccordancewiththeevaluationcriteriadefinedintheNRA,andincorporatingprogrammaticfactors;andAbriefdescriptionofthepost-paneldecisionmakingprocessusedtoarriveattheselection.Inparticular,theselectionofproposalsidentifiedbythepeerreviewashavingalowerevaluationresultthanthose notseslected mustbeexplained.”

Theselectingofficialselectsasubsetofthesubmittedproposals,fullyorpartially,anddeclinestoselecttherest,andsignstheSelectionDecisionDocumentOncethereviewpanelisdone,therolesofpanelchairandgroupchiefarecomplete,theydonot participateinthepreparationoftheSelectionRequirementsPackage.Theymayhoweverbecontactedtoparticipateinarequestforreconsiderationatthecaucuslead’sdiscretion.ProgrammaticanddisciplinebalanceisdiscussedduringtheselectionmeetingwiththeSO.TypicallyinpreparingtheSDD,thecaucusleadinconjunctionwiththecaucuswouldidentifyanyimbalanceeitherextantintheprogramoronethatwouldresultfromtheselectionrecommendationandmakeadjustments

CDAP

DDAP

EW

EXO

HW

LARS

LDAP

MDAP

PDART

PSTAR

SSO

SSW

XRP

Goal 1: Origin & Content of the Solar System

Goal 2: Processes

Goal 3: Origin of Life

Goal 4: Habitability

Goal 5: Hazards & Resources

A connecting line meansthat the caucuses share

at least one person

CaucusNetworkDiagram

Howcaucusesoverlapandinformoneanotherandaddressourstrategicgoals

ProposalsbyOrganizationType

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Num

bero

fProposals

Solicitation Year

Company

University

OtherUSGov.

NASA(inc.JPL)

Non-profit

CommunityProposalWorkload(1)

800

857 858

1013

849

918942

997

776

952

229 235 246

343

264 284 304 310

255290

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Num

bero

fIndividals

Solicitation Year

Individualssubmittingatleast oneproposal.

Individualssubmittingmorethan oneproposal.

CommunityProposalWorkload(2)

571 621 611669 584 633 637 686 524 665

165 159 156215

174 173 202 183 156 175

42 48 53 75 52 66 71 74 61 81

13 22 27 28 21 33 15 32 24 226 5 4 16 11 10 8 12 13 73 1 6 9 6 2 8 9 2 5

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

PercentageofIndividuals

Solicitation Year

>5proposals

5proposals

4proposals

3proposals

2proposals

1proposalActualnumberofindividuals

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/nuggets/